Laundry Spray Applicator with Controlled Surfactant Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry treatments for delicate garments are wasteful and harsh, using broad dispersed fine spray patterns that lead to inefficiencies and potential discomfort, while requiring high water and detergent usage, and often result in 'stinging' due to aerosolization and foam buildup.
Innovation Solution
A consumer product with a container and spray applicator containing a liquid laundry treatment composition comprising at least 50% water, 1-15% non-soap surfactants, primarily non-ionic surfactants, and a soil release polymer, which allows for controlled spray patterns and effective cleaning without harshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-soap anionic and non-ionic surfactants are used to provide excellent cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but spray pattern control deteriorates leading to broad dispersed fine spray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by specifying precise ranges of non-ionic surfactants (1-20 wt%), anionic surfactants (0.5-5 wt%), and soil release agents (0.1-5 wt%). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the right balance that enables both effective cleaning and controlled spray patterns without excessive dispersion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining multiple types of surfactants (non-ionic, anionic) with soil release agents in specific ratios. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects that simultaneously provide excellent cleaning performance and controlled spray characteristics, resolving the trade-off between cleaning efficacy and spray control
2Productivity
If spray formulation is optimized for cleaning performance, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but aerosolization increases leading to stinging discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts formulation parameters including surfactant concentration (1-20 wt% non-ionic, 0.5-5 wt% anionic) and adds soil release agents (0.1-5 wt%) to control droplet formation and aerosolization. These parameter changes maintain cleaning efficiency while reducing harmful aerosol generation that causes stinging
3Reliability
If conventional laundry treatment is used for delicate garments, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but fabric damage increases and resource waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using lower concentrations of surfactants (1-20 wt% non-ionic, 0.5-5 wt% anionic) compared to conventional full-strength formulations. This partial formulation provides sufficient cleaning for delicate garments while reducing harshness and resource consumption, eliminating the need for excessive detergent and water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by incorporating soil release agents (0.1-5 wt%) alongside optimized surfactant levels. This parameter modification enables effective cleaning at reduced concentrations, preventing fabric damage while maintaining cleaning thoroughness for delicate garments
4Ease of operation
If spray applicator is activated to apply detergent, then detergent application is improved, but foam buildup occurs at spray exit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes surfactant concentration parameters (1-20 wt% non-ionic, 0.5-5 wt% anionic) to control foam generation. These parameter adjustments enable effective detergent application while minimizing excessive foam buildup at the spray exit, reducing material waste
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables targeted and efficient application of detergent, reducing water usage, minimizing aerosolization, and providing effective cleaning and fabric care with reduced risk of damage, while maintaining performance and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the spray applicator is capable of spraying the laundry treatment composition into the environment external to the container upon activation of the spray applicator
Implementation Method 2
the non-ionic surfactant is an alcohol alkoxylate surfactant
Implementation Method 3
the laundry treatment composition comprises between 0.01% and 3%, preferably between 0.025% and 2%, more preferably between 0.05% and 1.5% by weight of the laundry treatment composition of a soil release polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A consumer product composed of a laundry treatment composition housed in a container, wherein the container has a spray applicator and an internal chamber housing the laundry treatment composition and the laundry treatment composition is in contact with the spray applicator and the spray applicator is capable of spraying the laundry treatment composition into the environment external to the container upon activation of the spray applicator.